Spot lamp for automobiles and the like



S. H. THOMSON.

SPOT LAMP- FOR AUTOMOB|LS AND .THE LIKE. APPLICATION FILED DE-C.27 [92].

= Patented Aug. 15, 1922.

INVEN TOIR.

' Dayton, in the county of Montgomery e sires sa res.

earner crates.

' SAMUEL H. THOMSON, OF'DAYTO OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE sn. THOMSON MANU- FATORING CO PANY, OF DAYTON, OHIO.

SPOT LAMP-FOR AUTOMOBILES AND THE LIKE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 15, 1922.

, Application filed December 27, 1921. Serial No. 525,146.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL/H. THoMsoN, a citizen of the United State's,residlng at State of Ohio, have invented-certain no. and usefulImprovements in Spot Lamps for Automobiles and the like, of which thefollowing is a specification, reference being had therein to theaccompanying drawings.

This invention relates to spot lamps for automobiles, and thelike,'having particular reference to improvements in spot lamps of thetype illustrated and described in my copending application for LettersPatent-,-

filed September 22, 1921, Ser. N0..502,451.

The main feature of advantage in spot lamps of this character consistsin their Wide range of adjustment,the lamps being adjustable in bothhorizontal and vertical planes of rotation, or in any two given planesof rotation at right angles one to the other. Thus therange of lightprojection, by a combination of the double adjustment, is practicallyuniversal,-that is 1 00 say the lamps can be adjusted to project thelight at any desired angle.

To comply with certain traflic regulations, and out of considerationfordrivers of automobiles, and the greater safety of those who ride inthem, means are provided in the present invention to limit the angularadjustment of the spot lamp so that its rays cannot be. directed,accidentally or otherwise, full in the face of the driver of anautomobile approaching from the opposite direction. In certain of theStates adjustment of spot lights in this respect is regulated bystatute, and is a safeguard that should be universally enforced so {faras practicable.

The construction of the spot light, as herein shown to illustrate theinvention, is substantially the same as that shown and described in mycopending application, except as to the means for limiting the angularadjustment of the lamp, and does not re-' quire detailed explanation,therefore, except v having the cover cap removed from the gear case, andshowing the means employed for limiting the angular adjustment of thelamp; I I

I Fig. 2 consists oftwo detail views of the adjustment controlling meansdetached.

As here shown, the lamp fixture as a whole consists of thespot" lamp 1which is pivoted in a bracket or housing -3-by means of an L-shaped arm-2, the'arm being hollow to receive the electrical cord -4.

Rotary horizontal adjustment of the lamp is effected. by'means of bevelgears 5--6, gear --5 being secured to the portion of the arm .-2extending into the bearing housing -3, and gear -6. being secured to ashaft 7 which is connected to the lamp adjusting-handle -8, shaft 7 andav tube- '9, secured to the housing 3 at one end and cooperating withthe operating handle at its opposite end to effect rotary verticaladjustment of the lamp, being arranged concentrically in an outerstationary tube --10 by means of which and a suitable bracket the lampis adapted-to be mounted onan automobile. 11 secured to its end adjacentthe operat- Tube -9 has a sleeveing handle 8, and is adapted tobe-engaged with a notched disc 12 secured to the stationary tube 10 bymeans of a latch l3 pivoted in' sleeve f11. The operating handle. 8 isconnected to sleeve -11 by means of a clutch 14:, and has sufficientaxial movement on shaft -7 to disengage the clutch and permit ofoperating gears 5 and 6 to adjust the lamp in the horizontal plane. Toadjust the lamp in the vertical plane, latch 13 is disengaged from discl2, and handle 8 ismanipulated without disengaging the clutch.

From the foregoing brief description it will be understood that the spotlamp of the present invention, as that of my earlier invention hereinreferredto, is adapted for universal angular adjustment, except that inthe present case, means are employed to limit the angular adjustment ofthe lamp in a horizontal plane.

The means for'limiting the movement of gears 5 and 6, as here shown,consists of a spring clip, shown in detail in Fig. 2, and as applied tothe gears in Fig. 1. The clip has a circular spring portion 15 adaptedto fit the hub of gear 5 and an up-turned portion +16 adapted to fitbetween two opposite teeth of the gear, thus the gears at this pointwill lock one with the other and further movement in one direction'willbe prevented. It will be obvious that the clip can be adjusted in anyposition relative to the gear, and that the horizontal angularadjustment of the spot lamp can thus be regulated as desired to meettraflic conditions and statute requirements.

Having describedmy invention, I claim: 1.'In spot lamp controllingmeans, the combination of a pivotally mounted lamp, intermeshing gearsand means for operating the same to effect angular adjustment of-saidlamp, and means mounted and variably adjustable relative to one of saidgears,

' and adaptedto engage with the other gear to limit said adjustment ofthe lamp in a given direction.

2. In a'spot lamp controlling means, the

I combination of a pivotally mounted lamp,

intermeshing gears and means for operating the same to effect angularadjustment 01" said lamp, and means detachably secured I to one of saidgears and adapted to rotate gage the hub of one of said gears and havingan up-turned portion adapted to en-- gage the teeth of both of saidgears to limit said adjustment of the lamp in a given direction.

4:. In a spot lamp controlling .means, the

combination of a pivotally mounted lamp,

intermeshing gears and means for operating the same to effectangular'adjustment of said lamp, and a spring clip adapted to engage thehub of one of said gears and to be variably adjusted thereon, and having.a portion adaptedto lock between the teeth of the opposite gears tolimit the said adjustment of the lamp in a given direction.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature.

SAMUEL H. THOMSON.

